MUMBAI: Over a year after top builders working with BMC, Mhada and other planning authorities got the benefit, the state government approved the flexible instalment facility to pay premiums for builders under Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA). State urban development (UD) minister Eknath Shinde approved the file, Bhushan Gagrani, principal secretary (UD department) said. BJP had threatened to protest if it was not approved by Monday. Officials said a letter will be sent from UDD to SRA.
BJP had threatened a protest outside Nirmal building at Nariman Point, “from where key UDD decisions are taken”.
BJP state treasurer Mihir Kotecha said the file was stuck with Shinde’s office for three months. “We thank the minister for listening to concerns of SRA builders. The department must take decisions that help eliminate slums and not only help top builders,” he said.
UDD had let BMC, Mhada, MSRDC and MMRDA to allow builders to pay in instalments in September 2019, but SRA was left out. Chaitanya Marpakwar